Lifelong learning builds talent base - Business First of Buffalo:

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Local programs are both on-site and online, so professionals lookingf to developnew skills, get refreshe r training or enhance their credentials need only take a look around. “Th e average person in the Unitede States changes jobs on averag six to eight times before saysMichael LaFever, dean of program development and enrollmenrt management at . “Each change ofte requires a new set ofemployment skills; meaningf additional training and education will be required. Of in this current downsizing economy, many employees simply becomse unemployed and may need to searc out differentcareer fields.
“For thosse professionals that are employed but who are requiresd to maintain certificationsand licenses, further training or educatioj on an annual basis is required,” he The need is clear, and area college and universities deliver with quality, flexibl programs for so many including nurses, real estate accounting and insurance professionals, teacheras and IT managers. “Accelerate your career,” the Universituy at Buffalo says inone ad. “Educatinyg for life,” says one for . , meanwhile, promises to “makw a difference in your career,” while says its programk can “advance your career.
” “There are many service providers today who offer an array of opportunitiee for those seeking new or additionalo adultlearning experiences,” LaFever says. “Locao school district adult learning collegesand universities, and professional organizations make it easy to find what you are lookint for. “Of course, the best way to find thes e opportunities is right atyour fingertips: the computee keyboard and Internet. Get in the habit of bookmarking the schools and agencies that offer adul tlearning opportunities.
You will be surprised at how many of them now offetr classes online rather than at a site or making access somuch easier, especially for the busy Explore what opportunities are availablw through your employer or trads group, educators say. Good managers encouragwe continuing education, knowing that it can pay off for theit company in the long term througgh a higher skilledwork force. Some good sourcees for information: the American Society for Trainingvand Development, , and Training, and the in Washington, D.C. Lindaw Fisher of D’Youville College says peoples shouldn’t underestimate the importance of continuing education for thoss who already hold aprofessional degree.
“As director of graduatse admissions, I find that many articles discussingv continuing education options and opportunities usually focus on colleges offering undergraduat coursework where students can develop initiap skills within a specificoccupational discipline,” she told Business “In today’s economy, even studentsz who have completed a degree within a specific occupation may need to returnj to the classroom to augment or broaden theirr skills.
“At D’Youville, we offer advancerd certificate programsfor health-care professionalsx seeking to qualify for advancement with their currentr employer or to diversify their resume to be more competitivd as they search for new employment,” Fishee says. “In the last I have seen interest in thesew short certificate programsincreasw significantly.” American businesses annually spend more than $2 billio on employee education, accordingh to the human resources association. “We offedr both traditional classroom courses, as well as a wide varietgy ofonline instruction,” says LaFever of Trocaire College.
“Manyg employers and even unions have articulation agreements with collegesd to further training andemploymengt opportunities. We work together to ensure that education and employabilitywork hand-in-hand. Trocaire Collegd has agreements withthe , Kaleidqa Health, the and the CSEA ( ), just to mentionn a few.” Professionals of all ages and in every industryg should buy into the concept of lifelong educators and others say, because it’s an investment in your future as you keep up to date on industrh trends and technology. Do your homework, and find out what your profession offers or requirea in terms ofcontinuing education.
That can includs formal instruction, on-the-job training, self-study courseworok or certificate programs.